Direct Support Professional I-68532908

ICL Inc. • New York, NY

139d • Onsite

About The Position

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides observations, evaluations, and reports to other team members to ensure and/or record an individual’s progress toward treatment/habilitation goals. In accordance with habilitative plans, they guide and teach individuals to develop skills required for a more independent lifestyle. DSPs may take a lead role in one or more of the following duties within a work site, performed in several or all of the following areas: Personal Care, Food Preparation, Mealtimes, Maintaining the Environment, Individual Development, Personal Interests, and Participating as Program Planning Team Member. DSPs communicate with other direct care staff, supervisory or clinical staff, the individuals in their care, their families, and others who meet them.

Requirements

• Knowledge of policies and procedures of OPWDD, as well as state and federal regulations as they apply to the care and treatment of the developmentally disabled.
• Knowledge of active treatment programs as they relate to the developmentally disabled.
• Currently AMAP certified or able to become certified within six months of hire.
• Currently SCIP-R certified or able to become certified within six months of hire.
• Currently CPR and First Aid certified or able to become certified within six months.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.
• High school diploma or GED or possess a Direct Support Professional (DSP) Certificate from an accredited public or private organization.
• Ability to provide direct services to adults with developmental disabilities.

Nice To Haves

• Related experience is desirable.
• Direct Care experience with people with mental and/or physical disabilities.
• AMAP, SCIP-R, CPR/SFA certified.

Responsibilities

• Provide observations, evaluations, and reports to team members regarding individual progress toward treatment/habilitation goals.
• Guide and teach individuals to develop skills for a more independent lifestyle in accordance with habilitative plans.
• Teach and reinforce infection control and personal grooming techniques; assist with bathing, dental care, hair and nail care, personal hygiene, toileting, incontinence care, menstrual care, and grooming routines.
• Teach and assist individuals in dressing, clothing selection, storage, laundering, and repair of clothing and accessories; help them shop for clothing.
• Teach and assist in the proper use and care of personal items such as shavers, razors, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and prostheses.
• Administer and teach individuals first aid treatments; administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation and perform other health-related techniques.
• Take, record, and report vital signs and other significant symptoms/health-related occurrences; aid individuals in understanding, recording, and reporting these factors.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Report unusual incidents and physical or behavioral symptoms promptly and accurately to the supervisor.
• Apply valid and accepted limits for inappropriate behavior and help control and restrain individuals with challenging behaviors.
• Administer prescribed medications and treatments; teach, observe, and report problems and progress in self-administration of medications programs; assist individuals in achieving independence in medication administration.
• Accompany individuals to medical, dental, and other health-related appointments; deliver prescriptions, log medications, and instruct/observe individuals in their use.
• Assist individuals in eating who cannot feed themselves independently.
• Teach individuals to eat in a family-style setting and model/teach mealtime socialization skills.
• Teach and assist individuals to plan, shop, store, prepare, and serve meals using accepted nutritional standards; clean kitchen and dining areas, and safely dispose of leftover food.
• Perform and teach routine housekeeping duties such as dusting, washing floors and walls, cleaning bathrooms, and vacuuming.
• Assist individuals in bed making.
• Follow safety procedures, including mopping spills, reporting unsafe conditions, and teaching/reinforcing fire safety procedures.
• Store supplies and ensure storage areas are neat and orderly.
• Responsible for storage and replacement of linens.
• Assist in household inventories.
• Perform and teach minor maintenance tasks like changing light bulbs and fuses, and obtaining repair services for appliances.
• Perform and teach routine trash removal and cleaning of trash containers.
• Teach/perform outdoor maintenance tasks and repairs of residence, yard, and garden; report or obtain repair services for vehicles and equipment.
• Check fire equipment and report malfunctions.
• Conduct fire drills following the fire evacuation plan.
• Teach and reinforce the use of various communication skills.
• Guide individuals through motor exercises to increase physical coordinative functions.
• Teach and reinforce principles of human growth and development, including human sexuality, based on developmental level and program plan.
• Teach acceptable work habits, such as punctuality, dress, and grooming, to prepare individuals for work or support habilitative goals.
• Accompany individuals to community activities, including worksites, cultural, religious, and social events, and day programs; aid in developing awareness and use of community resources and interaction with others.
• Provide support for maximum community integration.
• Transport or arrange transport of individuals to community events and aid in developing mobility skills.
• Maintain an adequate supply of and accounting of personal clothing and possessions.
• Teach money management principles and complete/aid in banking activities.
• Provide an accurate accounting of all financial transactions made on behalf of individuals.
• Help individuals develop/maintain positive interpersonal relationships and aid in explaining feelings, resolving conflicts, and teaching acceptable means of dissipating frustration and anger.
• If pets are present, teach/assist with their feeding, grooming, and care.
• Teach/supervise/participate in leisure and recreational activities, crafts, and home decoration; assist in planning and conducting holiday celebrations.
• Accompany individuals to activities like dances, camping trips, swimming, horseback riding, or sports; assist in selection and teaching of appropriate community inclusion leisure activities.
• Aid in the selection, purchase, care, and use of age-appropriate personal belongings.
• Observe and report on behavior and specific responses to programming, medication, and interpersonal relationships.
• Actively participate in staff meetings by communicating observations concerning progress and reactions to therapy programs.
• Suggest alternative programs or procedures based on experience with the individual’s habilitation plan.
• Record all significant behavioral responses in the prescribed format.
• Participate in the development of individual program and habilitation plans.
• Assist in the orientation and training of other staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED